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SteeringPart report

2012 Toyota Tundra Steering Problems

Complaints
12about this part
Share
8%of 156 total for the year
Median mileage
75,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Toyota Tundra, 8% of the 156 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was driving and all the sudden my power steering went out. I was in traffic and almost was in an accident because of no power steering. I immediately pulled over and looked on the passenger side and power steering fluid was leaking out of my tie rod boot. I immediately got to my Toyota dealer and they automatically knew what it was, the rack and pinion blew out. So clearly it's a Toyota thing I figured. …”

NHTSA complaint #11360129, filed 2020-09, 118,900 miles

“Toyota Tundra power steering rack and pinion failure. While driving my truck the power steering rack and pinion failed. I heard a pop sound and pulled off the city road to inspect my vehicle. Upon doing so I noticed the steering was difficult to manipulate and upon inspection found power steering fluid actively leaking out of the front passenger side bellows boot. My vehicle had approximately 47,000 miles at this time.”

NHTSA complaint #11231785, filed 2019-07, 47,000 miles

“The steering wheel did not stay centered and the position would change. I noticed that when I was stopped and the steering wheel was locked that the steering wheel had some movement from side to side. I checked the steering wheel lock down nut and it was tight. The steering wheel has a spline bushing that matches up with a matching spline on the shaft so I could not see how this could move. I removed the locking nut so I could see the where the steering wheel and shaft connect together. …”

NHTSA complaint #11352027, filed 2020-08, 240,210 miles

“My truck is a 2012 Toyota Tundra 4x4 limited. It has 100,000 miles on it. I typically only drive it on the weekends. I was driving and made a turn, all of a sudden I lost power steering. The accordion boot on the passenger side was full of power steering fluid. It blew a seal on the steering rod. The whole rack and pinion had to be replaced. 18 hour labor job, and with parts $3000.00. I almost got into a accident because I couldn't turn it. You have to drop the engine assembly to change it that's why it cost so much. This has to be a factory decfect. Any input?”

NHTSA complaint #11074580, filed 2018-02, 100,000 miles

“Horn stopped working before 100,000 miles and dealership won't replace it. Wants to charge over $600 to fix. Vehicle was not in any wreck to cause horn damage. It is due to faulty equipment from Toyota. Seatbelt latch doesn't connect seatbelt sometimes and also won't release at times when attached.”

NHTSA complaint #11162594, filed 2018-12, 95,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202638%
202586%
202482%
2023123%
202292%
202128%
2020511%
201934%
201855%
201756%
201676%
201524%
201466%
20131012%
2012128%
20111914%
201064%
200925%
2008113%
2007113%
2006255%
2005216%
2004266%
2003226%
2002388%
2001236%
2000434%

Other parts of the 2012 Toyota Tundra

Engine
57 complaints
Fuel system
27 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
21 complaints
Electrical system
19 complaints
Other or unknown
17 complaints
Body and structure
11 complaints
Air bags
9 complaints
Brakes
7 complaints
Electronic stability control
7 complaints
Vehicle speed control
7 complaints
Wheels
6 complaints
Seats
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Toyota Tundra

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology